The recurrence of a seemingly giant North Korean soldier in pictures from Kim Jong-il’s funeral procession in Pyongyang has led speculation over the mystery figure to 7′ 8″ basketball star Ri Myung Hun.

A hearse carrying the coffin of the late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il drives through Pyongyang as the ‘giant soldier’ looks on. (Picture: Reuters)

The towering figure looms over his fellow soldiers at the funeral in Korean capital Pyongyang, standing out from the thousands of other representatives of the North Korean army.

The curious images were taken by the Korean Central News Agency and appear to show an unknown giant among the ranks.

The disappearance of an entire television crew in certain photographs from the late North Korean leader’s memorial service led international news agency Reuters to claim the set of images had been digitally altered, but the recurrence of the ‘giant’ soldier in more than one picture, and viewed from all angles, suggest he is person not pixels.

Speculation over the identity of the soldier was quick to spread across the internet, with the most likely suspect being Korean basketball star Ri Myung Hun.#

Standign at 7′ 8″ Myung Hun once attempted to play in the NBA but decided to remain in North Korea. He has previously held the record of world’s tallest man.

Ri Myung Hun at the 14th Asian Games in Pusan. (Picture: Reuters)

The death of Kim Jong-il has marked the succession of his son Kim Jon-un as the country’s leader. Hopes that this would bring about a more progressive North Korea have been dashed however after a statement from the government warned that the nation would not be changing under new rule.

North Korea’s national defence agency said: ‘We declare solemnly and confidently that foolish politicians around the world, including the puppet forces in South Korea, that they should not expect any changes from us.’